Reviewer:
Den NC USA
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January 30, 2021
Subject:
A must listen for OTR Fans, and Orson Welles Fans, and Fans of Crime Capers
Simon Callow, fine English actor and biographer, writes in ORSON WELLES Volume 3, One-Man Band, Chapter 5...
"At no point did Welles think of The Adventures of Harry Lime as anything other than a quick way of making a quick buck, though his performance is effortlessly charismatic: he remained an incomparable radio actor, engaging, witty, suggestive, with an extraordinary gift for creating instant intimacy with the listener. He usually wrote the introductory sequences himself. This Harry – affable, worldly-wise, wry, of course – is a much less hard-edged one that Greene's." (Graham Greene)
And one more quote by Callow..."He recorded several shows a day, sometimes as many as ten, urging on his little company of actors to sharp and credible accounts of their various shady characters. They often recorded in Paris, and the atmosphere was uproarious, with everyone playing two or three parts, while Welles bawled out colorful commentary on their work."
Wow, from this, and Welles, comes one of the great personality crime shows on radio. IMHO, none of these "capers" are a dud, and many are truly memorable. They can be charming, poignant, rife with intrigue and revenge, and always a step or two ahead of the usual.
Truly one of the best ever, and without doubt one of my favorites, The Adventures (Lives) of Harry Lime cannot be taken for granted.
In fact, perhaps he cannot be taken. He just might be taking you...
Enjoy!